Introduction to WWII

Introduction to WWII

Bellringer: Identify 5 things you see and what you think this painting is about.

YouTube Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYTkZZokjGE As you watch, think about what types of feelings and emotions Picasso is trying to get across to the viewer

“In the aftermath of World War I, many observers believed that a new age of democratic government had dawned. All of the new states of Central and Eastern Europe became democracies. Even Germany, a former bastion of authoritarian rule, had adopted a democratic government. In East Asia, Japan also appeared to be making the transition to democracy. But during the 1920’s the democratic flame began to flicker, and in the 1930’s it threatened to die out almost completely. Instead of an age of democracy, the interwar years, to a large extent, became an era of dictatorship.” Michael J. Lyons, World War II: A Short History

Totalitarianism Why do the conditions after WWI allow dictators to come to power? • A government that controls all aspects of citizens lives, limits civil rights and suppresses (puts down) all opposition. • Germany, Italy, Soviet Union, Japan, Spain

Fascism • Government based on extreme national pride; private business and government work together in partnership; country is more important than the individual • Has some capitalism • Italy, Germany, Spain

European Reaction • Favor policy of appeasement • European nations were also going through a depression and they did not have the resources to fight Germany and enforce the Treaty of Versailles Appease:to pacify or please someone to avoid conflict. -ex: the waitress appeased the customer even though he was rude.

Europe Post WWI

German & Soviet Invasion of Poland = Beginning of WWII Sept. 1939

American Neutrality • 1935 ~ Neutrality Acts: Outlaw sales of weapons to nations at war

Cash and Carry (1939) • 1939 ~ (aka Neutrality Acts of 1939) Congress passed a law allowed nations at war to buy U.S. military arms as long as they paid cashand transported (carried) them in their own ships Who does this policy most benefit and why? Why would some Americans believe FDR’s policies violate American neutrality?

Selective Service Act (1940) • 1940 ~ Congress passed the first peacetime military draft which registered 16 million men between ages 21 and 35 Japan Joins Axis Powers (1940) • September 27, 1940 ~ Germany, Italy, Japan signed a mutual defense treaty called the Tripartite Pact

Lend Lease Act (1941) • 1941 ~ US agreed to lend weapons and arms to countries whose defense was vital to the US

German Wolf Packs (1941) • Hitler organized German U-Boats into groups of 40+ submarines to stop the Lend-Lease ships • FDR gives the US Navy permission to attack U-Boats in self-defense

Atlantic Charter (1941) • 1941 ~ Churchill and FDR met secretly to discuss goals for fighting WWII

Think about it . . . • Was WWII inevitable?

Think about it . . . • What, if anything, could have been done to prevent WWII?

Think about it . . . • Do you think British appeasement was an appropriate strategy, Why or why not?

Think about it . . . • What would you have done if you were the leader of Great Britain or France during this time period?

Introduction to WWII